As reported by the National Health Executive, A&E services in England have recorded their shortest waiting times in five years, even as hospitals faced record levels of demand during what officials have described as a prolonged winter period
Latest data shows that National Health Service emergency departments saw 2.43 million attendances in March, the highest monthly figure on record and around 16,000 more than the previous peak in May 2024. Despite this surge, 77.1 per cent of patients were treated within four hours, marking the strongest performance since July 2021.
Health leaders say pressure on emergency care increased in mid March following reports of a meningitis outbreak, which led to a noticeable rise in admissions across the country.
Alongside improvements in urgent care, overall hospital waiting lists have also fallen. By the end of February 2026, the total backlog stood at 7.22 million, a monthly reduction of 31,006 and more than 400,000 lower than in July 2024.
Progress has also been made on treatment waiting times, with 62.6 per cent of patients now waiting less than 18 weeks, an increase of 1.1 percentage points compared with the previous month.
Cancer diagnosis times have reached their fastest level on record, according to NHS data.
The health service remains focused on achieving its long term target of treating 65 per cent of patients within 18 weeks by the end of March, a level last reached in November 2021.
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